Cruz Allen’s goal and two assists inspired Derby County’s Under-18s to an emphatic 5-2 win over Blackburn Rovers Under-18s at Moor Farm Training Ground on Saturday afternoon.


The Rams made it two wins in a row in the Under-18 Premier League - North, following on from their 3-1 victory at Everton last weekend.

Blackburn took the lead early on with a goal in the seventh minute from midfielder Nathan Willis, after a deflected shot found him in plenty of space inside the box for an easy finish.

Both sides started the first half positively and created some clear-cut chances, with notably Derby’s high press proving difficult for the Blackburn defence.

Some relentless pressure from Wales youth international midfielder Allen saw him dispossess Rovers defender Michael Decandia, and his pass across the penalty area picked out Niall McAndrew at the far post to make it 1-1.

Allen nearly made it 2-1 to the Rams just moments later as his drilled attempt flew just past the far post of Blackburn goalkeeper Adam Khan.

Derby did make it 2-1 in the latter stages of the second half, as McAndrew, a Republic of Ireland youth international, made a forward run on the left flank and played a square pass to Justin Oguntolu for a simple slotted finish into an open net.

Just before the break the Rams went 3-1 up in similar fashion to the second goal. An attack down the left-hand side led to another pass across the face of goal for Oguntolu to convert his second of the game.

The second half started the same as the first ended for Derby, as their relentlessness in attack continued. This time Allen got on the end of a drilled cross for a controlled finish to give the side their fourth goal of the afternoon.

Things got even better for the home side just moments later as captain Keilen Robinson made it 5-1 from a Derby corner after a mistake from Kahn.

Blackburn pulled one back late on as substitute Tyler Mansbridge’s cross shot flew into the top left-hand corner of Harley Price’s net.

It was an extremely impressive attacking display from Danny Maye’s side that saw them climb up the league table and taking them above Leeds United and into fifth spot.

The Under-18s will look to make it three league wins in a row in their next match away at Middlesbrough on Friday 17th November, while before then they have a trip to Mansfield Town in the First Round of the FA Youth Cup on Friday 10th November.

Derby County Under-18s: Price (GK), Perry, L Gordon, Banks, Osayande (K Gordon 78), Robinson, Allen (Agustien 53), Tola, Oguntolu (Green 62), Eames, McAndrew.

Unused Substitutes: Hardy, Simons.

Blackburn Rovers Under-18s: Khan (GK) (Honor 73) Murphy-Worrell, Houghton, Decandia, Litherland, Thirkill, Boggan, Willis, Tyjon (Shaw 45), Farkas (Mansbridge 76), Mullarkey Matthews (Dlamini 45).

Unused Substitutes: Ramwell.

Words: Joe Bird